Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl!

We started out celebrating Ella's birthday weekend with a trip to Binder Park Zoo.  Ella is in love with animals so we thought it would be a fun thing for us to do together as a family.  Unfortunately the weather ended up being really yuck - it was cold, rainy, and our main reason for going, the giraffes, were not out because of the weather.  Although that was disappointing, we all still enjoyed seeing the animals that were out and the atmosphere.  It was a great zoo and we will definitely be back another time to see what we missed.

Brad and Ella checking out the jaguars

It was fun to be able to interact with the animals...like feeding the goats...

And petting the bunnies.

Due to the weather, a lot of the animals weren't available, but the ones that were were super cute!

Ella was most intrigued with the llamas.  She was totally freaked out by them yet extremely interested:)

We had to make a pit stop to ride on the carousel - the zebra was quite a hit!

At the end of the visit we went to the part of the zoo designated as "Africa".  We took a trolley ride to the middle of nowhere and there was this huge pretend village and trail in the woods with some awesome animals in the fields.  I was super exhausted from the long walk but it was really cool!

Despite the long ride and disappointing weather, we had a great time experiencing it all with Ella!

Later that night we headed over to my parents house to celebrate Ella's birthday - Elmo style!

Grandma Rotman and Ella

My Aunt Queenie was visiting from Nevada so we decided to take a girls pic - me, Mom, Ella, Kennedy, Aunt Q, Carley, Chris, and Daysha.

Getting a pretty pink doll!

This is the only attempt that Ella really made to open any of her gifts.  She didn't really seem to get that inside the wrapping paper were presents for her.  Her cousins ended up opening most of them for her.  She loved what she got but just didn't seem to get the concept that night:)  I guess it had been about a year since the last time she got to open presents. 

She did however love all the attention - especially when everyone sang to her:)

Ella with Carley and Reed and the presents they got her - a baby doll and Mr. Potato Head.

Kennedy and Ella showing off Ella's new beauty care products and Princess book.

Ella got a baby high chair and pretend glasses from Grandma and Grandpa...she thought the glasses were hilarious!

Ella with Grandpa and Grandma Rotman

Soaking up all the attention:)

Enjoying the Elmo cake!

The next morning, on her Birthday, Ella came downstairs to find her birthday present from us- a beauty salon I found on Craig's list.  I had a feeling she would like all the primping and playing that goes along with it and she sure did!

Later that night we had our second party with the Konings - Elmo style once again.

Grandpa and Grandma Essenburg, Kylee, Mom and Dad Koning, and Ella

Betsy, Dad Koning, Grandpa Koning, Brad, and Grandpa Essenburg

Ella received Elmo cards from everyone that came that night but surprisingly they were all different versions of the same card - she loved them all because they all had Elmo singing Happy Birthday!  This time around she totally got the whole unwrapping the present thing and had a lot of fun:)

Grandma Koning and Ella showing off one of her new beauty products she got for a present:)

Brad and I made the Elmo cakes for her birthday.  The first one looked a bit iffy but this one is about as good we are capable of...it looked pretty cheesy but tasted good at least:)

"Happy Birthday to You"

I wonder what a 2 year old wishes for?:)

Enjoying the sweets with Great Grandpa Essenburg

Ella with Grandpa and Grandma Koning

All the grandparents!

Us with our Birthday girl!

Ella we are so blessed to have had you in our life for the last 2 years.  Our lives changed so much after you came into this world and we would not change a moment of it.  We thank God for giving us you for you bless us more and more every day and bring us so much happiness and joy - we love you sweetie!